Dorothy Piwowarczyk

Dorothy Helen Piwowarczyk, 76, of Derwood died of ALS on Dec. 19, 2007, at Casey House in Derwood.

Born Nov. 15, 1931, in Indiana, she was the daughter of Helen Mackowiak of Merrillville, Ind.

She was the wife of John E. Piwowarczyk for more than 55 years.

Mrs. Piwowarczyk was an avid polka dancer and traveled extensively with her husband. She also volunteered with the Help Organization of Gaithersburg.

Survivors in addition to her husband and mother include four children, Jan Piwowarczyk and wife Leslie of Gaithersburg, Jill Nelms and husband David of Jacksonville, Fla., Janell Williams and husband David of Monrovia and Jolene Park and husband William of Charlottesville, Va.; a sister, Joan Shegich of Schererville, Ind.; two sisters-in-law, Loretta Kite of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and Joanna Leshenko of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; five granddaughters; and numerous other family members